Otaru triangle market, Seafood marketplace in Otaru, Japan.
Otaru Triangle Market is a seafood marketplace in Otaru with numerous stalls offering fresh seafood, local produce, and prepared dishes within a covered three-cornered structure near the station. The layout includes multiple corridors and vendor areas that allow visitors to browse between different options.
The market emerged in the early 1900s as a commercial hub connecting local fishermen with customers during Otaru's development as a major trading port. The triangular structure was added later to accommodate growing commercial activity in the area.
Vendors follow traditional methods when preparing and presenting seafood delicacies such as raw salmon, king crab legs, and sea urchins sourced from Hokkaido waters. Visitors can purchase these items directly from the stalls and observe the craft involved in their careful handling.
The market lies about 200 meters from Otaru Station and is easily accessible on foot. Visitors should arrive in the morning when stalls have the fullest selection, as many close in the afternoon.
At select restaurants within the market, visitors can hand-pick live crabs directly from tanks, which the staff then prepares and cooks to order. This on-site preparation makes the meal distinctly fresh and personalized.
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